The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially picked up the fifth-year option on defensive end Travon Walker, keeping the former No. 1 overall pick under contract through the 2026 NFL season, the team announced Monday.
Walker, selected first overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia, is now set to earn a fully guaranteed $14.75 million in 2026, according to Spotrac. The move signals the Jaguars' commitment to the rising star as a foundational piece of their defense.
After a modest rookie season in 2022 where he recorded 3.5 sacks, Walker has developed into a dominant pass rusher. He followed up with back-to-back double-digit sack seasons in both 2023 and 2024, becoming the first player in franchise history to notch 10+ sacks in consecutive seasons within his first three years in the NFL.
Walker also now holds the Jaguars’ all-time record for most sacks through a player’s first three seasons (24.0), surpassing former standout Josh Allen (20.5).
Head coach Liam Coen recently confirmed that the organization has been in active discussions with Walker’s camp about a long-term contract extension.
“We’re having open conversations,” Coen said. “At the end of the day, James, Tony, and I will continue to have those discussions as we move forward.”
With the fifth-year option secured and the possibility of franchise tags beyond that, the Jaguars maintain team control of Walker for potentially the next five seasons—providing stability on the edge as they look to build a championship-caliber defense.
